2010 World Series: Game 4

Posted on November 1, 2010

Madison Bumgarner of the San Francisco Giants pitches in Game Four of the 2010 World Series against the Texas Rangers at Rangers Ballpark on Sunday, October 31, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Brad Mangin/MLB Photos)

 

I told myself today would be a much better day at the ballpark for Game 4 of the World Series and man was I right. After yesterday’s disaster for me at the Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, both myself and the San Francisco Giants were due for good things to happen, and they really did as the Giants beat the home standing Rangers 4-0 and I had a bunch of fun and made a few pictures I liked in the process.

After enjoying a marvelous pre-game cigar in the upper deck with my boss I cruised around the ballpark looking for pretty light and shot a few features of fans coming into the yard. By the time the game got started I was a million times better than I was last night with a wonderful photo position outside third base next to the Giants dugout. Being able to see the field and take pictures without fans standing in front of me was something I will never take for granted again, and my experience shooting Game 4 from a real photo position was a true joy. I was able to spend 9 innings shooting with Sports Illustrated’s Damian Strohmeyer and USA TODAY’S H. Darr Beiser. Catching up with old friends from the east coast while shooting a World Series game is one of the great benefits of shooting an event like this.

I told people all day that the Giants would win this game. All my friends who do not live in the Bay Area knew nothing about Giants 21-year-old rookie left handed starting pitcher Madison Bumgarner. I mentioned how he was mature beyond his years and pitches great on the road in hostile environments. I knew the kid was going to pitch great and man did he deliver! The young lefty dominated the Rangers and tossed 8 shutout innings, making the Giants 4-run lead look invincible. Teaming up with his rookie battery mate Buster Posey, Bumgarner pitched himself into the national spotlight as the Giants took a 3 games to 1 lead in the Series.

Once again there was not much action out there tonight, but luckily I was able to get a pretty cool frame of Giants second baseman Freddy Sanchez, who had a great night with the glove, leaping in the air to rob Ranger’s batter Jeff Francoeur of a base hit to end the second inning. Once I got this picture I felt a huge amount of pressure lifted off my shoulders since I had a good picture in the bag. I also felt like this would be a good night for me, since I NEVER get pictures like this (see above.)

By the time Posey homered in the 8th inning (see above) to make it 4-0 I was finally able to relax a little bit. I was confident that the Giants would hold on and win the game, and turn tomorrow night’s Game 5 into a must-see do-or-die pitcher’s duel between Cliff Lee and Tim Lincecum.

It is about 3:30 am as I am finishing up this blog post, and as I look back on this Halloween in Texas I can say that it has been a terrific day all the way around. As I opened the door of my hotel room in Dallas (Room #426) after having a few late-night beers with my teammates I had to laugh at what the numbers on my door might mean. I always play games to remember my room number in hotels, plucking numbers from past ballplayers out of the air who match my room number. This one was too easy. Mel Ott and John Montefusco. Two great Giants. Is this a sign? At this point I will look for magic for the Giants anywhere I can find it!